'State asked to expedite Loktak Lake Experience' project
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 10 2025: The Union government has sanctioned an ambitious tourism project titled 'Loktak Lake Experience' in Manipur under the 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) - Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale' scheme.

The project, aimed at transforming Loktak Lake into a global tourist attraction, has been allocated Rs 89.48 crore, with Rs 59.05 crore already released.

However, no utilisation certificate has been received from the state government yet, said Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, adding that the state government has been asked to expedite commencement of the work.

During the Lok Sabha session on Monday, Inner Manipur MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam raised questions regarding plans for developing tourist destinations in the state as part of the 50 sites announced in the Union Budget.

In response, the Union Minister stated that under the budget announcement for 2025-26, the top 50 tourist destinations in the country will be developed in partnership with state governments through a challenge mode.

The states are required to provide land for key infrastructure, while hotels in those destinations will be included in the Harmonised List of Infrastructure, he informed.

While tourism development is primarily the responsibility of the state government, the Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through schemes like 'Swadesh Darshan' .

The minister provided details of past projects in Manipur, including the North-East Circuit project sanctioned in 2015-16 for developing the Imphal-Khongjom tourist circuit, with an allocation of Rs 72.23 crore, of which Rs 61.32 crore was released and Rs 61.25 crore utilised.

Similarly, under the Spiritual Circuit scheme, the government sanctioned Rs 45.34 crore in 2016-17 for the development of landmark religious sites such as Govindajee Temple and Kaina Temple, with Rs 45.33 crore released and Rs 43.04 crore utilised.

Addressing concerns about the status of ongoing projects, the minister highlighted that in a review meeting held on February 11, 2025, the state government was directed to expedite work on the 'Loktak Lake Experience' project.

He revealed that Rs 89.48 crore was sanctioned for the project of which the Ministry has released Rs 59.05 crore.

However, the state government has not submitted any utilisation certificate till date.

Comment